Abstract
Over the last three decades, the brain's functional and structural imaging has become more prevalent in psychiatric research and clinical application. A substantial amount of psychiatric research is based on neuroimaging studies that aim to illuminate neural mechanisms underlying psychiatric disorders. Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is one of those developing brain imaging techniques among various neuroimaging technologies. Compared to PET, SPECT imaging is easy, less expensive, and practical for radioligand use. Current technologies increased the spatial accuracy of SPECT findings by combining the functional SPECT images with CT images. The radioligands bind to receptors such as 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A, and dopamine transporters can help us comprehend neural mechanisms of psychiatric disorders based on neurochemicals. This mini-review focuses on the SPECT-based neuroimaging approach to psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and major depressive disorder (MDD). Research-based SPECT findings of psychiatric disorders indicate that there are notable changes in biochemical components in certain disorders. Even though many studies support that SPECT can be used in psychiatric clinical practice, we still only use subjective diagnostic criteria such as the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Glimpsing into the brain's biochemical world via SPECT in psychiatric disorders provides more information about the pathophysiology and future implication of neuroimaging techniques.
Highlights
Diagnosis of psychiatric disorders has always been debated, yet there is still no objective diagnostic tool
That target-specific feature makes Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) a valuable tool for psychiatric research. In this mini-review, we summarized and discussed SPECT findings of schizophrenia and depression
Dopamine release into the synaptic cleft could be assessed by the combination of dopamine release induction by amphetamine or methylphenidate and SPECT technique
Summary
Diagnosis of psychiatric disorders has always been debated, yet there is still no objective diagnostic tool. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), SPECT, and positron emission tomography (PET) have evolved to enlighten complex psychiatric disorders. Among these imaging methods, SPECT and PET have similar properties in terms of methods they use. Perfusion SPECT can help estimate typical stimulant medication response in children with attention deficiency and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) [6]. That target-specific feature makes SPECT a valuable tool for psychiatric research. In this mini-review, we summarized and discussed SPECT findings of schizophrenia and depression. To investigate SPECT studies in patients with schizophrenia and depression, we performed a systematic literature search on PubMed database using the keywords “SPECT,” “Schizophrenia,” and “Depression” and any of following words: “GABA,” “Serotonin,” “Glutamate,” and “Dopamine.” Most relevant and recent studies on the subject are included in this mini-review in consideration of the balance between developments and limitations in this area
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